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Markets in 2024: A Year of Surprises and Challenges Despite starting the year with expectations of a global stock rally tapering off, sharp U.S. interest rate cuts strengthening Treasuries and weakening the dollar, and emerging market currencies gaining traction, the markets defied all predictions. Global stocks are poised for a…

Singapore’s core consumer price index rose by 1.9% year-on-year in November, marking the smallest increase in nearly three years and falling below economists’ expectations, according to official data released on Monday. The core inflation rate, which excludes private road transport and accommodation costs, came in lower than the 2.1% forecast…

Most Asian currencies weakened on Friday, with the Japanese yen recovering slightly from a five-month low as strong inflation data only partially countered the dovish outlook from the Bank of Japan. Regional currencies faced pressure from a broad move into the dollar, which hit its highest level in over a…

Gold prices held steady near a one-month low during Asian trading on Friday and were on track for weekly losses following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s forecast of fewer interest rate cuts than anticipated in 2025, which unsettled investors. While the Fed lowered interest rates by 25 basis points as expected,…

Asian shares fell to a fresh three-month low on Friday as investors awaited critical U.S. inflation data that could either ease or intensify concerns over persistently high price pressures. Meanwhile, the dollar climbed to two-year highs. European markets are poised for a weaker opening, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures down 1%.…

In an unusual critique of its past policies, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) acknowledged that former governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s aggressive monetary stimulus fell short of altering consumer psychology as intended. This marks a symbolic shift away from Kuroda’s decade-long experiment in radical monetary policy. A review released on Thursday highlighted…

Gold prices rebounded from a one-month low on Thursday after the Federal Reserve delivered a widely anticipated interest rate cut. However, the central bank’s hawkish tone on future rate reductions cast uncertainty over bullion’s outlook. Prices had slumped over 2% overnight following the Fed’s policy meeting, which signaled fewer rate…

The South Korean won plunged to a 15-year low on Thursday, pressured by heightened risk aversion following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to further interest rate cuts and ongoing domestic political uncertainty. In onshore trade as of 0234 GMT, the won stood at 1,449.9 per dollar, after opening at…

Oil prices dropped in early trading on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated it would slow the pace of interest rate cuts in 2025, raising concerns about potential impacts on fuel demand. Brent futures declined by 33 cents, or 0.45%, to $73.06 per barrel by 0107 GMT, while U.S.…

U.S. stocks plummeted on Wednesday, marking the largest daily decline in months for all three major indexes. The drop followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to lower interest rates by a quarter percentage point, accompanied by projections signaling a more cautious approach to easing in 2025. The Fed reduced rates by…